English Translation and Commentary of the Holy Quran (2010)
by Maulana Muhammad Ali
Chapter 22: Al-Hajj — The Pilgrimage (Revealed at Makkah: 10 sections, 78 verses)
Introduction:
This chapter is called The Pilgrimage because the proclamation of pilgrimage, originally made by Abraham, was now repeated by the Holy Prophet and addressed to the whole world. It opens with the prophecy of a terrible calamity, which is a preliminary to the triumph of truth. Then it asserts the certainty of Divine help for the believers and their consequent triumph. As their triumph would involve the conquest of Makkah, the chapter then deals with the topics of the Sacred House, the pilgrimage and sacrifice. The subject of fighting is then introduced, requiring sacrifices to be made. Then it tells us that, despite opposition, the faithful would be established in the land, but as Allah’s dealing with the opponents is merciful their punishment would be withheld for a while. At the end it declares that polytheism would be uprooted. This chapter was revealed in the late period at Makkah.
List of Sections (Rukus):
- The Judgment (Verses 22:1–22:10)
- Certainty of Divine Help (Verses 22:11–22:22)
- Believers are Triumphant (Verses 22:23–22:25)
- Pilgrimage (Verses 22:26–22:33)
- Sacrifices (Verses 22:34–22:38)
- Believers Permitted to Fight (Verses 22:39–22:48)
- Opposition to the Prophet (Verses 22:49–22:57)
- The Faithful shall be Established (Verses 22:58–22:64)
- Divine Mercy in Dealing with People (Verses 22:65–22:72)
- Polytheism will be Uprooted (Verses 22:73–22:78)